Bicycle Parking Rules and Regulations for the City of Denver

I finally keystroked our Bike Parking Regs. See if this can provide you with some fun in your home town.
- James Mackay, City of Denver Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, 30 March 1995
(303)640-BIKE, Mackaybike@aol.com
Section 59-582(e) of the Denver Revised Municipal Code provides for the adoption of rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas by the Director of Planning as follows:

(e) Parking for bicycles.

For proposed nonresidential uses having an off-street parking requirement of twenty (20) spaces or more, a number of off -street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to five (5) percent of the automobile parking space requirement. Subject to approval by the transportation office of the proposed parking area design, location and security features, required automobile parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one (1) automobile space for each six (6) bicycle spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than five (5) percent.

The director of planning shall adopt rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas. The following rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas are based on Section 59-582(e) of the Denver Revised Municipal Code and on the recommendations contained in the document titled "1993 Denver Bicycle Master Plan" which was approved by City Council as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan by Ordinance No. 498, Series of 1993.

Rules and Regulations Establishing the Dimensional and Equipment Standards for Bicycle Parking Areas

I. Objectives for Bicycle Parking Areas.

1) To encourage the use of bicycles for personal transportation as an alternative to motor vehicles.
2) To provide for bicycle access to employment, commercial, and other transportation and travel destinations.

II. Bicycle Parking Standards.

Per the 1993 Denver Bicycle Master Plan, the "Inverted U" type bike rack (or equivalent) is the recommended bicycle parking rack. This rack is the first choice for all applications.

III. Required Provision of Bicycle Parking Areas.

For proposed non-residential sites having an off-street parking requirement of twenty (20) spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to five (5) percent of the automobile parking space requirement. Each inverted U provided will count as two (2) bicycle parking spaces.

Subject to the approval by the Transportation Office of the proposed parking area design, location and security features, required automobile parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one (1) automobile parking space for each six (6) bicycle parking spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than five (5) percent.

IV. Description - The "Inverted U" Type Bicycle Rack.

Inverted U bike racks shall consist of three to five inverted U's mounted 30" on-center via baseplate rails to create a free-standing array. The inverted U's shall be made from 1 1/2" 11 gauge steel tubing bent to measure 33" high, 18" wide (minimum dimensions) with a gloss black polyester powdercoat finish (or approved equal). The rails shall be 2" by 1" rectangular steel tubing similarly finished with mounting holes and supplied with vandal resistant concrete anchor mounting hardware for surface installation to existing concrete.

Each U shall be mounted to the rails via vandal resistant or hidden fasteners which preclude the dismantling of the rack once assembled and installed. In some situations, individual "U's" may be preferable to a baseplate array assembly of "U's," i.e., installed parallel to and behind the curb in business districts where sidewalk space is limited.

V. Description - Individual "Inverted U" (Non -baseplate Array) Alternate.

Individual U's to be surface mounted directly to existing concrete shall have a pair 6 3/4" x 2" steel baseplates (minimum dimensions) with two bolt holes each.

VI. Location of Bicycle Parking Racks.

Whenever possible, the racks should be placed within 50' of building entrances where bicyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode. The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people within the building and/or people entering the building. The placement of the racks should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and motorized traffic. All bicycle parking provided should be on concrete, and located a minimum of 24" from a parallel wall, and 30" from a perpendicular wall (as measured to the closet inverted

VII. Use of Alternative (Non -inverted U) Bicycle Parking Racks.

As stated above, the Inverted U is the first choice for all applications. At the discretion of the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, other bicycle security devices may be approved for use in unusual circumstances. Any such alternate security device submitted for approval must provide for:
  1. Supporting the bike frame at two locations (not just a wheel);
  2. Allowing both the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the rack;
  3. Allowing the use of either a cable or "U-type" lock;
  4. Bicycles which are equipped with water bottle cages;
  5. Bicycles which are not equipped with kickstands; and
  6. All types and sizes of bicycles, including various types and sizes of frames, wheel sizes, and tire widths

VIII. Bicycle Parking Lockers.

Bicycle parking lockers are specifically encouraged for assigned use by employees and bicycle commuters. Bicycle parking capacity provided via lockers will be considered as being in compliance with these rules.
For More infomation, contact James Mackay, Denver Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, Mackaybike@aol.com

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